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For Release: March 9, 2009
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Contact:
Lynda Knobeloch, Department of Health Services (608) 266-0923 March 9, 2009
Stephen Wittman (608) 263-5371 swittman@aqua.wisc.edu
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Well Owners Urged to Test their Wells During Groundwater Awareness Week |
Madison (3/8/2009) -- National Groundwater Awareness Week (March 8-14) serves as a reminder to the 900,000 households in Wisconsin that use a private well -- it’s time to get your water tested. Individual homeowners bear the responsibility of having their well tested for contaminants like bacteria, nitrates or arsenic.
The Water Resources Institute at the University of Wisconsin–Madison wants to be sure that the well water that the majority of us use each day is safe for people and livestock alike.
“It is particularly important to test for contaminants at this time of year when snowmelt and spring rains recharge our water supplies,” said institute director Anders Andren. “We use more than 800 million gallons of groundwater each day, and Wisconsin is not immune to water contamination.”
The UW Water Resources Institute funds a variety of groundwater research projects to better understand contaminants and methods of cleaning up contaminated wells. One study currently underway will better determine how many Wisconsin households currently test their wells for contaminants.
“Unlike municipal water supplies, private wells are not required to be tested,” said study leader Lynda Knobeloch, a research scientist and senior toxicologist at the Department of Health Services’ Division of Public Health. “Those who do test their wells usually only test for nitrates and bacteria. Wells should also be tested for other potential contaminants, such as benzene, arsenic or lead.”
According to Knobeloch, about a third of Wisconsin families obtain their drinking water from privately owned wells, but only about 33% of those wells are tested. Knobeloch is particularly interested in finding out why private well owners do not test their wells for other contaminants. She suspects the reasons may vary from not knowing what should be included in the test, what laboratory to use or the cost associated with the tests.
Information about how to get your well tested can easily be found on the internet. Using a search engine like Google, type in “What’s wrong with my water?” This will lead the homeowner to laboratories that are available and what tests may be conducted. Those without internet access can contact their County Extension Agent or local Department of Natural Resources office for more information.
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